Bill Small's Blog » chris gage

The Next Time

billsmall — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:49:45 +0000

Like the song says, “Mostly I want to know that there’s gonna be a next time”. Last Tuesday, I woke up anxious. There were questions, and not particularly useful questions, running through my brain. I was sleepy. I was jumpy. Agitated. I guess it makes some sense. Later that evening I was scheduled to play my first official CD release show in support of “The Next Time”. My first solo record in almost 10 years. It’s also the first time I’ve played my songs with a band other than the Mystiqueros in years. Of course when it comes to the band, I stacked the deck in my favor. Chris Gage, my friend, producer and musical wunderkind on guitar. Glenn, (I’ve played on everyone’s record including yours and toured with all kinds of amazing folks), Fukunaga on the bass. And, my Mystiquero brother other half of R-n-B drummer Ray Rodriguez. Of course having Glenn and Chris there was a source for more nervousness. Would I lead the band well? Would I remember the songs? Would I have any money to pay them?

As show time approached I began to let go a bit. I’d been in the studio that day playing bass on a project that WW was producing and everything was lined up as far as I could see. But would anyone come? I knew a couple folks would be there, (like my girlfriend) but would it be full? I didn’t expect it to be as full as the MQ release show, though that would be cool, but would the club have a good night? Luckily, the show was booked at The Mean Eyed Cat and after a year or so of monthly Monday nights with Sam Baker back in 2007, I felt very comfortable there. I knew I had MQ sound sensei Mike Horn running the show and making sure everything was handled. But, I was still nervous enough to slam a couple of ice cold beers in the first 20 minutes of set up. ( so good)

Show time arrived as it always does and there was nothing for it but to stand up and sing. I managed to call the first tune in the wrong key and after a re-start we began to play the new record. I decided to just play the record in order start to finish. Some of the songs have been around for awhile and some are newer. Some I’ve played many times and others not so much, so I wanted to see what the flow would be like if I just stuck to the sequence of the record. Frankly, I just couldn’t bring myself to come up with another plan at that point. Even though I broke a string in the second measure of the title track, (we re-started that one too!) I was surprised by how much I enjoyed playing those songs. It was really fun. And what a band. Those guys were stellar!!

The crowd dug it. And yes there was a crowd. Even the folks who just came to the Cat for a drink, having no idea who I was, stayed and listened. The audience actually moved in closer as the show went on. It was nerve wracking and exhilarating at the same time to have everyone paying close attention, but that’s what we do this for isn’t it? That nervous exhilaration. That rush of energy passing between you and the audience. That’s what live music is all about.

So where does all this lead me? I want to play with that band again! I can see that show as a step in re-awakening a part of myself that’s been resting for a bit. As I performed that night I was once again, “Bill Small”. Not just El Guapo, bass player of the Mystiqueros, but also the old singer songwriter, the guitar slinger, the artist that I have been, as well as the artist that I am becoming. I felt it all bubbling up that night.

So next time I may be nervous again. Next time I may have a different band, a different crowd. Next time I may reach some transcendental state of live performance bliss or fall flat on my face. But there will indeed be a next time.

p.s. This is kind of what the show looked like to me:

10 years after…… almost

billsmall — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:35:47 +0000

In September of 2000, I released the first ever Bill Small record, “Singin“. I’d been involved in a couple of records and a cassette tape (showing my age) with bands before that, and I think “Singin” was the end product of the 90′s for me. All the musical roads I’d been down in my first decade in Austin ended with that recording. Now, just 4 months or so shy of 10 years after, “the next time” has arrived. This may well be the record that sums up the first decade of the new millennium for me. The roads I’ve traveled thus far. Seems like I might want to shorten my creation time or it’ll be 2020 before I manage another record! It’s been a bit surreal as the responses to the new cd have started to trickle in. Seems like people dig it. Actually, I dig it. Produced by my friend Chris Gage at his Moonhouse Studio, I got to show up and just be the “artist” to a large degree and so I still hear things in these songs that surprise me. So, record season is in full swing. The Mystiqueros “Agave” and now “the next time”. Get ‘em both. And as WW says’ “If you don’t like it we’ll refund your money and mow your yard.”

p.s. To get your copy of “the next time” just click the picture above.

Back At It

billsmall — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:43:25 +0000

I’m back in Moonhouse Studio today putting the finishing touches on my new record with producer Chris Gage. It’s good to be getting it done! I know it’ll make my parents happy at least. I’ll keep you posted on the release date. It looks like I’ll have the support of the brand new Texas label, Blue Boot Records. Thanks for all the patience and support. Onward!

My view today:

Singing in the Studio – Redemption!

billsmall — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:59:44 +0000

Chris and I had a really fun day in the studio this week. One of the reasons I asked Chris to produce this record for me is that he knows what I’m capable of as a player and singer even when I don’t.

We spent the first part of the day laying down electric guitars on a song called “Houston”. The track is very textured. Chris playing swelling pretty stuff and me on slide. It was fun. Then after a dinner break it was time to sing again. Yikes!

After the last time I was a bit nervous about singing again. It’s really silly. I’ve sung on hundreds of recordings. I did manage to sing a little bit during the week between our sessions and I was stretching and pretty well rested. And I may have had a beer or two before jumping in to the first track of the evening.

It went well. I’m back! I knocked out lead vocals for three tunes and we called it a night. It feels like Chris and I have hit the groove now in how we work together. I can hardly wait until our next session.